Bonnie Tyler to represent UK at Eurovision Song Contest

Bonnie Tyler, famed for her hit Total Eclipse of the Heart, will sing the UK's
entry at the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest in Sweden.

Bonnie Tyler, the 61-year-old Welsh singer who had a No1 hit in 1983 with Total Eclipse of the Heart, will represent the United Kingdom at this year's Eurovision competition.

It's something of a move for youth by the UK selectors who last year chose Engelbert Humperdinck, then 75, to sing in Azerbaijan. He came in 25th place (out of 26) with 12 points after his performance of Love Will Set You Free.

Tyler will perform a track called Believe In Me — a power ballad which was recorded in Nashville — at the event in Malmö, Sweden. The big hair, padded shoulders, soaring vocals and dry ice machines will surely be out in force to give 1980s nostalgists a Euro treat.

Tyler, who was born in Skewen, South Wales, said: "I am truly honoured and delighted to be able to represent my country at Eurovision and especially with such a fabulous song. I promise to give this everything that I've got for the UK."

She has a new album called Rocks & Honey out tomorrow and is presently touring as a guest on the "Rock Meets Classic 2013 Tour" in Germany. Her career started in 1970 when, aged 19, she entered a talent contest, singing the Mary Hopkin hit Those Were the Days. She finished in second place, winning £1. In recent years, the three-times Grammy-nominated singer, whose song Holding Out for a Hero (written with Meat Loaf's songwriter Jim Steinman) was featured on the Footloose film soundtrack in 1984, appeared on the Romanian and Ukrainian series of X Factor as a special guest artist.

Thirty-nine countries will participate in the 58th Eurovision Song Contest and as one of the “Big Five” countries (along with Spain, Germany, France and Italy), the United Kingdom gain automatic access to the Saturday grand finale on Saturday 18th May. The UK has won the competition five times since 1957. The last victory was Katrina and the Waves in 1997. Eurovision attracts an audience of more than 125million viewers.

The bookies weren't immediately impressed with the choice of Tyler, with Ladbrokes offering 40-1 on the UK winning the Eurovision.